Comments on: Huge in the Balkan States: A Eurovision Retrospective (of sorts) http://www.aliteralgirl.com/2009/05/huge-in-the-balkan-states-a-eurovision-retrospective-of-sorts/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:34:15 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: AcademicHopeful http://www.aliteralgirl.com/2009/05/huge-in-the-balkan-states-a-eurovision-retrospective-of-sorts/comment-page-1/#comment-296 AcademicHopeful Sat, 23 May 2009 10:56:39 +0000 http://aliteralgirl.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-296 Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You neatly tied up the themes of the discussion into a ball and then propelled it to another level of analysis. That fourth para is compelling. I completely agree. There's something so much more self-consciously familiar and accessible about Brit entertainment. This is obviously true of the ubiquitous quiz shows where the panellists look like they just popped over for a natter on their way home, but even when you watch period dramas you're aware of the actors and the producers (BBC). It's like watching theatre in many ways. There is none of this space when you (happen to) watch US rich bitch reality TV. It's more intense, but without any intimacy. But, if seriousness means that sensational programmes like The Wire are made (technical perfection!), I am all for it! Pick n Mix, I say! And you're right to single out Eurovision. Last year, the Brits tried uber Euro cheese and bombed out and this year they fared better with a more American Idol-style performance, but I think that was just too safe and polished for the Continent. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You neatly tied up the themes of the discussion into a ball and then propelled it to another level of analysis.

That fourth para is compelling. I completely agree. There’s something so much more self-consciously familiar and accessible about Brit entertainment. This is obviously true of the ubiquitous quiz shows where the panellists look like they just popped over for a natter on their way home, but even when you watch period dramas you’re aware of the actors and the producers (BBC). It’s like watching theatre in many ways. There is none of this space when you (happen to) watch US rich bitch reality TV. It’s more intense, but without any intimacy. But, if seriousness means that sensational programmes like The Wire are made (technical perfection!), I am all for it! Pick n Mix, I say!

And you’re right to single out Eurovision. Last year, the Brits tried uber Euro cheese and bombed out and this year they fared better with a more American Idol-style performance, but I think that was just too safe and polished for the Continent.

]]> By: GoodEnoughWoman http://www.aliteralgirl.com/2009/05/huge-in-the-balkan-states-a-eurovision-retrospective-of-sorts/comment-page-1/#comment-295 GoodEnoughWoman Fri, 22 May 2009 17:58:15 +0000 http://aliteralgirl.wordpress.com/?p=360#comment-295 I wandered over from Academic, Hopeful's place, and I like your post. And, as another American (so perhaps my judgment is skewed), I, too, like the BBC drama stuff along with the deadpan humor (e.g., QI). And you bring up the tabloid thing. I am always amazed at the number of people on the UK trains who are reading the most god-awful tabloid trash. Actually, I'm *sort of* amazed they are reading it, but I'm *really* amazed that everyone does it publicly! Perhaps that's because, as an American, I take it all (and myself) too seriously? And perhaps my need to be awed is why I was jumping out of my seat when KISS appeared, in full makeup, on the season finale of American Idol. What can I say? I was a teenager in the Midwest in the 80s. I was surrounded by Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Big Hair, and Corn. Side note: I see you are from a ranch on the coast of California. Perhaps you are from my current neck of the woods? I'm on the Central Coast. I wandered over from Academic, Hopeful’s place, and I like your post. And, as another American (so perhaps my judgment is skewed), I, too, like the BBC drama stuff along with the deadpan humor (e.g., QI). And you bring up the tabloid thing. I am always amazed at the number of people on the UK trains who are reading the most god-awful tabloid trash. Actually, I’m *sort of* amazed they are reading it, but I’m *really* amazed that everyone does it publicly! Perhaps that’s because, as an American, I take it all (and myself) too seriously?

And perhaps my need to be awed is why I was jumping out of my seat when KISS appeared, in full makeup, on the season finale of American Idol. What can I say? I was a teenager in the Midwest in the 80s. I was surrounded by Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Big Hair, and Corn.

Side note: I see you are from a ranch on the coast of California. Perhaps you are from my current neck of the woods? I’m on the Central Coast.

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